Overview
ISO 11378-2:2001 - "Textile floor coverings - Laboratory soiling tests - Part 2: Drum test" defines a laboratory method for assessing the propensity of textile floor coverings to soil without abrasive wear or texture changes. The standard specifies equipment, sample preparation, a standard artificial soil (preferred: compound C.5), test loading, conditioning, and assessment methods (colour measurement or large grey scales). The test accelerates soiling in a drum/tumbler to provide repeatable comparisons across products and treatments.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Purpose: Measure change in appearance from soiling using a controlled artificial soil and drum tumbling (hexapod tumbler or modified drum).
- Apparatus: Hexapod tumbler per ISO 10361 or modified drum (Annex B); polyamide pellets; chrome-alloy steel balls (total ~1 000 g); magnet; suction cleaner; specimen backing sheet and adhesive.
- Standard soiling compounds: Several formulas listed in Annex C; C.5 (AATCC-style soil) is preferred. Soiled pellets are prepared by tumbling soil with polyamide pellets for homogeneity.
- Specimens & conditioning: Minimum specimen sizes (125 × 200 mm typical), conditioned per ISO 139; specimens mounted on a polyethylene backing sheet and secured with double-sided tape.
- Test loading & run: Add ~1 000 g steel balls and ~250 g soiled pellets to drum; rotate for 30 minutes; remove and vacuum to clear loose soil.
- Assessment methods:
- Colour measurement (CIELAB) using ΔE or ΔL averaged from six readings per specimen (ISO 105‑J01).
- Visual assessment using large grey scales with three operators per ISO 105‑A02 and lighting per ISO 9405.
- Extensions: Annex A describes using the method to evaluate fibre finishes, cleaning chemicals or cleaning equipment by cleaning soiled specimens (ISO 11379) and comparing restoration to original appearance.
- Accuracy: Inter-laboratory trials (Annex D) indicate satisfactory repeatability and reproducibility.
Applications and users
- Flooring manufacturers and R&D teams: compare soiling resistance of carpet constructions, fibre types and finishes.
- Independent test laboratories and QA departments: provide standardized, reproducible soiling performance data for specifications and conformity testing.
- Cleaning product and equipment developers: evaluate cleaning efficacy by soiling then cleaning specimens and measuring restoration.
- Specifiers and procurement professionals: inform product selection for high-traffic interiors where appearance retention matters.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 11378-2, drum test, textile floor coverings, laboratory soiling tests, standard artificial soil, colour measurement, large grey scales.
